Panel Title
Innovating Neurorehabilitation Education: Designing a Metaverse to bridge Academia, Clinical Practice and Industry

Date: Wednesday, May 14
Time: 15:00 – 15:45

Organizer: MotusAcademy, RESC ETH Zurich and Lake Lucerne Institute

Moderator: Zen KOH, MotusAcademy, IISART, and Strategic Industry Advisor, KITE Research
Institute at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, part of the University Health Network (UHN),
https://www.kite-uhn.com/

Panel Speakers

• Engineering Perspective: Rui Loureiro, Professor of Surgical and Rehabilitation Engineering, University College London, UK; Research Director, National Rehabilitation Centre, UK
• National Rehabilitation Education Platforms: Chris Awai, Chief Scientific Officer, Lake Lucerne Institute, Switzerland; Project lead Education, Swiss NeuroRehab Consortium
• Bridging UAS and Clinical Education: Martina Spiess, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Switzerland; Past-President and member of the education workgroup of the International Industry Society for Advanced Rehabilitation Technology; Project lead of “Empowering Clinicians: A MOOC Initiative in Rehabilitation Technology”
• Bringing Novel Technologies into Practice: Megan O’Brien, Associate Director of the Technology and Innovation Hub, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, USA
• Developing a Clinical Educational Platform and a framework for clinical data collection to reflect functional outcomes: Helen Hobbs, Director and Specialist Neurological Consultant Therapist, Hobbs Rehabilitation / The MiNT Academy, UK

Background
Neurorehabilitation is on the cusp of revolution with digital technologies evermore permeating every aspect of clinical practice. There is a need for practitioners in the field to continuously enhance their digital literacy and stay up to date with rapidly evolving technology in a wide range of fields. This includes enhanced clinical decision making through increasingly detailed data profiles, staying up to date with the newest scientific evidence, and continuously scoping the field for new and improved therapeutical devices and strategies. Traditional educational formats are currently not well suited to fill this gap, as they are typically monolithic and interspersed with long periods without formal education.

Panel Overview / Objectives
This panel, organised by MotusAcademy, RESC ETH Zurich, and Lake Lucerne Institute will bring together distinguished leaders in neurorehabilitation education from academia, industry and clinics to discuss how knowledge-sharing (e.g. by creating a metaverse) and interdisciplinary collaboration can advance the field. The session will highlight new educational models such as micro-learning formats embedded into digital data platforms, that can e.g. introduce practitioners to novel therapeutic devices and support life-long learning. The panel will also foster insights on bridging education approaches from academia, clinics and industry and explore the field of tension and common ground between these different approaches. Furthermore, we will touch upon ownership and quality control, especially the quantification of learning success in such a highly distributed and diffuse learning system.

Topics of Discussion

1. Educational Pathways in Neurorehabilitation Technology Overview: The panel will discuss their roles in professional education, highlighting formal academic approaches as well as continuous education approaches (e.g. webinars, courses, and resources designed to bridge knowledge gaps and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration). Particular emphasis will be placed on the organisation’s future expansions to meet the increasing demand for accessible, high-quality educational resources in neurorehabilitation technologies.

2. Interdisciplinary Education for Innovation and Digital Health Integration Overview: The panel will explore how collaborative education across disciplines, including health care professionals, health sciences, robotics, and data analytics, enhances the practical application of neurorehabilitation technologies. Speakers will share examples of partnerships that have successfully bridged academia, clinical practice and industry driving forward advancements that benefit patients and support healthcare professionals.

3. Holistic and Patient-Centred Neurorehabilitation Education Overview: A holistic approach is essential in neurorehabilitation, addressing the full spectrum of patient needs. This segment will explore how a unified, collaborative ecosystem—integrating education from academia, clinics and industry —can lead to more effective and personalised care. Emphasis will be placed on creating educational pathways that support the transition of digital healthcare tools in neurorehabilitation and how these educational pathways can keep pace with digital innovation.

4. Emerging Learning Models and Micro-Learning for Healthcare Professionals Overview: Panellists will discuss evolving learning models such as micro-learning and digital platforms that provide continuous, embedded educational opportunities. The discussion will highlight how these models empower clinicians to stay updated with advancing technologies and leverage data-driven insights to enhance clinical decision making.

Panel Title

From Inpatient to Outpatient – Managing the Transition Needs for Assistive Technology

Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 09:15 – 09:50

Organizer: RESNA

Abstract

When patients transition from in-patient rehab to the community, they move into person centered needs for assistive technology in many aspects of life.  They and their families face multiple challenges. By working together, rehab and community providers are a critical piece with that transition. In addition, rehab and community providers are in a superior position, due to their professional knowledge, to advocate for policy changes that put the person and their needs first.

Moderator:  Susan Redepenning, OT, ATP, Live Life Therapy Solutions

Panelists:
Stephanie Bay, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP, University of Illinois Chicago
Lindsey Morris, OTD, OTR/L, University of Pittsburgh
Drew Redepenning, MD, ATP, Live Life Therapy Solutions

CEUs: 0.05 IACET CEUs

• Interactive and Audience-Driven: Your questions and topics will shape the conversation, making this a truly interactive and engaging experience.
• Expert Insights: Gain valuable perspectives from a diverse panel of leading experts in rehabilitation robotics.
• Addressing Controversies: Explore the hard issues and controversies that are shaping the future of rehabilitation robotics, from ethical considerations to technological advancements and clinical applications.